Wagon-step



(No Model.)

W. D. SMITH.

WAGQN STEP.

No. 389,332. Patented Sept. 11, 1888.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM DUDLEY SMITH, OF MARION, ILLINOIS.

WAGON STEP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 389,332. dated September 11, 1888.

Application liled May 25. 1888. Serial No. 275,057.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, \VILLLUI DUDLEY SMITH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Marion, in the county of IVilliamson and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in lVagon Steps; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention has relation to improve ments in wagon attachments to be used on road-wagons-such, for instance, as farm-wagons; and it has for its object to provide a cheap and simple means whereby a lady or other person may enter the wagon from the side without soiling the clothing or without great exertion.

The invention will be fully understood from the following description and claims when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which* Figure 1 is a view of a portion of a wagonbody with my improvements applied, showing the step extended in a position for use; and Fig. 2 is a view of the same, showing the step raised or thrown out of the way.

Referring by letter to the said drawings, A indicates a portion of the wagon-body, which may be that of any ordinary farm-wagon. This body is provided at one side with ahorizontal platform, 13, arranged at about the sill of the wagon-body. In the present illustration I have shown this platform as supported upon two arms or bars extending laterally from the body of the wagon and braced to the side by means of braces C; but it is obvious that any suitable means may be employed for fixing the platform securely in position at one side of the vehicle.

D indicates a step which is secured to the lower end of a vertical arm, I), which arm is bent horizontally near its upper end,where it is journaled, as shown at a, in the platform, and thence bent vertically, so as to form an attaching-arm, b, which may have an eye, as shown. It will here be observed that so far as this step has been described it is free to move on the platform B; and I shall now de scribe the means by which I move and hold the step firmly while in use.

F indicates a hand-lever, which is pivoted at its lower end to the outer forward side of the wagon-body,having its upper end adapted to come within convenient reach of the (No model.)

driver. This lever is guarded by an angular bar, (I, so arranged as to permit the said lever to freely move between the same and the side of the body, and this guard is provided on its inner side at a suitable point with a lug or stop to engage the said lever when thrown forwardly and prevent it from moving backwardly when the step has been raised out of position for use.

G indicates a rod which connects the handlever at a suitable point with the upper attaching-branch, Z), of the step-bar E.

In the position shown in Fig. 1 the step is let down ready for use, and a person may, by first placing his foot on the step D, be elevated sufficiently to conveniently step upon the platform B and into the wagon.

WVhen it is desirable, the driver should grasp the hand-lever F, when, by a forward thrust of his arm, he will move the step in its hearings on the platform through the medium of the connecting rod G and raise it rear- Wardly away from any obstruction in the road during travel, the guard D serving to stay the step while in use.

Having described my-invention, whatI claim 1s 1. The combination, with a wagon body, of a platform fixed horizontally on one side thereof, and a step movably supported in the said platform, and means for moving the said step, substantially as specified.

2. The combination, with a wagon-body, of a platform fixed on one side thereof, a movable step supported in the platform, a handlever pivoted to the body of the wagon, and a rod connecting the said lever with the step, substantially as specified.

8. The combination, with a wagon-body, of a platform fixed on one side thereof, a movable step supported in the said platform and having an upwardly-extended branch, a handlever pivoted to the wagon-body, a guard for the said lever, having an engagiuglug on its inner side, and a rod connecting the lever with the branch of the step, whereby the same may be moved in and out of position, substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I affix my siguatu re in presence of two witnesses.

\VILLIAM DUDLEY SMITH.

\Vitnesses:

J OHN E. GALLAGHER, J. B. BAINBRIDGE. 

